The Exciting Weekend Ahead - And I'm Not Around

So from the top this weekend:

Finland hold their first show of UMK - can't pronounce what it stands for. I never was big into talent shows of this nature when it comes to Eurovision, so I'm not put out that I'm missing it.

Norway - Semi Final 2 tomorrow evening. While I may not be watching I will be supporting PLUMBO who I think are simply excellent. Minne-Oh and Malin are also favourites of mine. I think there is a good chance that they will all get through but I would be prepared to bet that Rikke Nordmann may get in over Malin. You can read our review of Semi 2 here.

Iceland - Iceland's third and final semi-final is on Saturday, we are hoping to see GRETA SALOME go through to the final with a second song. I can't call the second finalist but we are sure the later will make it  through. Our review of the show is here.

Hungary holds Semi 1 tomorrow also. We are unimpressed with their songs so far and don't particularly look forward to it. Our review of their songs is here.

Finally France will present their song on Sunday (16:00) from the bit that we heard of the song we are largely unimpressed with it.

While I may not be at home I hope to be on Twitter a little bit over the weekend and will try my best to see the results and have a full piece of reaction by Sunday evening.

Reaction to tonight's semi finals.

Latvia: We have had reasonable success in dumping a lot of the crap songs in the semi finals. We are happy to see Mad Show Boys made it to the final as did Robert Petersons (our second favorite).

Bulgaria: Our three favorites made it through the marathon show. Ceco Elvisa & Daniela, Desislava and New 5 (in that order). As with Latvia many boring ballads were dumped - Thankfully.

Iceland: Sadly Íris Hólm didn't make it but we were very impressed with Greta Salome & Jonsi.

Iceland will hold their next semi-final on 21 January with a Final on February 11th

Latvia will hold their final on February 18th. Bulgaria will hold theirs on the 29th February

Bulgaria Reviews

Ahead of the Bulgarian semi-final tomorrow we preview the songs in it in two parts here is the first part:

Sunnie - Strangest title of a song I ever heard, particularly when it is a women singing it. I don't really think this song is by any means amazing but it ok. Grade: D.

Sonya Ivanova - Very Average sounding. Might be better live. Grade: D+

Steliyana Hristova's – Rap song. It’s what I'd expect but at this stage but I really think as rap goes this is good. Grade: C

Rene Ranev - Nice to hear a rock style song in this contest. However this just doesn't go anywhere. Grade: D.

Simona Sivano - While this is nice, it feels like I've heard this song before just because with so many similar ballads it is very difficult to differencate it from all the other songs. Grade: C

Georgi Vurbanov's - No, just no. Grade: NG.

Ivaylo Kolev - Very nice start. Chorus is good enough. Great confidence and strength in the vocals. I like this. But it needs a bigger kick at the end. Grade: C+

Vyara Pantaleeva - Russia style ballad. Reviting. Not. Grade: B

Monika Kirovska - LOVING the almost Irish feel to this. Very gentle and nice song. Nice background music not ESC material. Grade: D

Go Week - Not bad. Don't like the lead singers voice. Shame. Grade: E+

Currently unable to find Bee In The Bonnet's song. If you have a link for this please post it in the comments.

The second half of this will be up this afternoon.

Review of Eirodziesma: Semi Final 2

Latvia was one of the earliest to publish their songs. So in the run up to their National Final we have reviewed the songs in each of their National Finals.

Niks Dukrus & NBC- Sweet for me is an odd mixture of sounds. However the beat is nice and this could do well given how it is received on the night. I don't really like it. I think the rap is poor and the choruses are very average sounding. Grade: F

Valtars Gleske & Libe Ece  - A very nice and pleasant classical song. Classical music is not always suited to ESC though. The big separtation between the male and female verses is not something I like very much. Grade: E

The 4 - Typical band stuff, voices not strong enough. This needs a total rewrite to get it right. So much potenical. Grade: E+

Anmary - Despite the title this is not a very beautiful song. The songs lyrics do not make much sense. The song is full of cliques however it seems very average and just needs to shift to another gear. Grade: E-

Paul Swan - Is it just me or is the opening line very similar to All The Lovers by Kylie. The chrous feels just a little dated. It's nice but nice never won ESC. Grade: D

Roberts Peterson - This is a lot better than what I have just heard. Staging is everything with this song. This needs a hardrock staging or it just won't look right. Grade: C-

Samantha Tina - While this song is good it just appears to be lacking something. Maybe we will feel it when we see it live. Grade: E

Elizabete Zagorska - Sounds a little more Eurovision. It builds wonderfully well but then….The interlude between the verse and chorus feels just little a car crash that comes out of nowhere. The wind instrument in the background does not help at all. The verse is good though. Grade: D

Mad Show Boys - Oh yeah! Here is a real folk song. However while I enjoy it, all that goes through my head is the Slovenian entry in 2010. I still think this is ok with sentiments from the beatles. Grade: C

Trianas Park - All of the songs in this semi are just terrible and this really is no different. Grade: E+

In spite of having so many songs this is a poor Semi. However here at The Best Eurovision Blog we like the MAD SHOW BOYS song and hope they win the Semi.

Iceland Semi Final 1: Review

With the first semi-final in Iceland just days away we take a look at the songs.

Íris Hólm - Much more rockish song than "The One". It doesn't sound modern enough but I still like this. Grade: B-

Greta Salome & Jonsi - Starts deep and intense but then develops with what sounds like violins. Female singing is very intense. However the chorus just is not sharp enough for my liking. Grade: C-

Fatherz'n'sonz - Strange song but reminds me of Nordman until…….crash…….suddenly it all sounds like Christmas. No - then continues to be a bit more like Nordman. What is this song????? This would sound totally out place in May. Grade: E

Heiða Ólafsdóttir - This is a gentle sounding ballad which does really go anywhere. If it was anywhere else I'd say that it may do well for being so relaxed. But this is Iceland. It just does work in such a short show. Grade: E

Blar Opal - Modern sounding…I'll give it that. For the first time I'm not sure if the song is best suited to Icelandic. We've seen these types of songs all the time in National Selections. Might be good  - might not. Grade: D-.

Reaction to Latvian Semi-Final and some other points

So after a relatively uninteresting semi-final, but a fun night on twitter (Thanks to all), we have 5 songs out of Eirodziesma. The qualifiers were good with the exception of Andris Abelite who I thought was below par. I think PeR are the ones to watch from this semi-final. They came second with the juries, which means that they could do well. However I would think the song is over repetitive. 

The big disappointment for me was Laura Bicane and Romans Sladzis folk music which surprised me by how good it was. Naturally I was pleased to see Ruta Duduma make it through.

In other news.....

We have not got a list of participates from the EBU yet and we look forward to see if Armenia is on it. I think it is delayed because the EBU doesn't want politics dragged into Eurovision but a draw is expected around 16th January so we will be keeping a close eye on that.


A campaign video has been launched for Rick Santorum Nickolas Sarkozy Jedward? We are unashamedly supporting Jedward for Eurovision  and we think this is just great.

Review: Belarus

A word of warning: Unfortunately Belarus has decided that a contestant may change a song to another off a list. So I am reviewing these songs on the basis that they will not change.

Alena Lanskaya - While this does not seem note perfect this is a good rockish song. LOSE THE DANCERS. Otherwise it would have a lot of potential when it gets to Baku. Grade:

Uzari - Uninteresting. Goes nowhere. Grade: G

Gunesh - And morning will come seems like a reharsh of Butterflies. Except it does have those deep emotive notes. The song just doesn't build as it should. Very disappointing. Grade: E

Litesound - This is a little more schlager rock for me. The song has actually some depth to it. This could be a favorite due by picking up a few female votes and should appeal to males enough. I can really see this working in Baku. Grade: B+

Victoria Aleshko - A bit more dramatic, but a little too Disney. Needs a complete rework to have a hope in Eurovision but still can't see this being picked. Grade: D-

So on the basis of these results The Best Eurovision Blog is supporting LITESOUND for Eurovision. We wish them the best of luck. The National Final takes place in Belarus on 28^th January 31^st January. We are delighted by this because we may be able to provide commentary depending on the time.

Review: Latvia Semi Final 1

Latvia was one of the earliest to publish their songs. Latvia’s national final is also on tomorrow night so in advance we publish our reviews of the songs in the first semi-final.

Atis Levins - This song is like motorway driving you get on, get bored driving and are happy when you get off. It is adifficult song to put a genre on. Grade: F

Maia - This is an interesting little song and does draw you in a little. The interude is nice and very unexpected. Latvia is not known for having a good selection process, and this probably will stand out a little. However taking the macro view, this really is annoying song that doesn't go far but goes a little. Ending is sudden and doesn't suit the song. Grade: E

Samantha Tina & Davids Kalandija - At first I thought this was a simiple ballad but the chorus proved me wrong, the fact Davids does not come in until the secondd  verse does nothing for the song. However it is a little complex and the arrangement is good. The piano in the background is very effective. But I am still unsure if their voices actually work together. Grade:D-

Nikolajs Puzikovs - I thought at first this was going to be better than it actually was. Disappointing. The opening screamed so much potenical but this was quickly destoryed. However it has enough redeming features to pass. Grade: E-

Laura Bicane & Romans Sladzis - This song is more like what I was looking for. It is just a little more orginal. We havent heard too much of this at the contest. However it is far from perfect. I fear this only stands out because it has some good points, and would be lost compared to the quality that is already there. Grade: C

PeR - Finally an easy name to spell. This is an odd song. You sit there and wonder just what is going to develop into. The trouble is the song is so repetitive I can't see this actually standing out. Grade: E-

Angelina & Alisa May - Once again I thought this was actually going to good. Vocally good, however the almost childish lyrics are a little distracting. The key change is too late, though good, I'm just a little bored. Grade: E+

Paula Dukure - That’s better, much better. This is a little different and actually sounds like ESC material,  however it would still need a good vocal performance, but listening to Paula sing she should hold notes on the night. Grade: C+

Andris Abelite - Another song that came through the internet selection. The retro feel manages to stay on the right side of retro/dated. Though the song has a nice jazzy feel it does have real jazz strenght; think Raphael Gaulazzi. A little over repetitive. Grade: E+

Ruta Duduma - This stripped back and layed back song could do well if sandwiched between two fast songs. For the genre it is rather good. I am rreally liking the chorus. Grade: B-

Based on these reviews The Best Eurovision Blog supports RUTA DUDUMA for the final. However overall I am disappointed with the Latvian songs.

We will have the second part of these reviews; for semi 2 next week. 

The Best Eurovision Blog will have coverage of the Latvian semi final tomorrow night on Twitter follow us @besteuroblog from 19:15GMT/20:15CET/21:15EET.

Love Oh Love! I gotta come back to Eurovision. Cos I oh I can't go a minute without Eurovision.

Today Denmark annonuced the 10 finalists they selected. While most of them seem like the usual unheard of hopeful two interesting names popped up in the songwriters list: John Gordon and Julie Frost. In terms of performers there's an X Factor finalist; someone who is similar to Kelly Clarkson or Pink and someone who claims they spent a third of their life in a Caravan. No doubt the Schlagerboys will be disappointed that Thomas G:son is not a songwriter here but I have no doubt we will see at least one good schlager anthem here - we often do. What concerns me is that none of the contestants coming out of Denmark are well known. Myself and many others have Denmark ear marked to win. While the real test is the quality of songs; this is a bad step.

Nearby in Netherlands they too announced their finalists who, it seems are less known than the people in Denmark. Most interestingly four of the six contestants are in some way connected to The Voice of Netherlands.

So What To Look Forward To.

Scléip boy, things are getting busy. 


I not going into what scléip means but it seems the right thing to say at this point in time. I had planned out the articles required over the next 10 days in the run up to National Final. However looking at the calender we need to get moving now. I had intended to write this piece over the next few days and publish it in due course. However it has crashed forward into this week. Due to the National Finals this week you may find that

What to expect this year:

• Ireland - I think Jedward is definately going to be there for Ireland again this year. I'm not looking forward to the National Final/Late Late Show. I expect very few quality songs. In fact I don't know how RTÉ will scrabble together five songs for The Late Late Show. We should expect them to be together with Linda Martin as their mentor. They are currently staring in the Olympia Pantomime together.  
• UK - I'm not exactly sure what the UK will do this year, everything will be down to who they get to sing this year.
• France - Not expecting them to beat their placing last year.
• Spain - Expecting a strong song that is tipped to win but will come about 8th (Not scoring as well as expected with juries)
• Norway - Not sure if their plan to change MGP (dropping Andra Chansen) will have much impact. Norway usually have one of the best National Finals and I expect that they will deliver a strong song this year
• Sweden - For the love of God: Pick Timoteij. Really you just don't know what Sweden will do next. There are some returning faces to Melodifestivalen but there are also some strong new ones. It's something to look forward to.
• Denmark - I think Denmark are the most likely to win this year, but that is just my intuition (or those random feelings you get in the middle of the night after a few drinks). However Denmark really seem to be going for the victory this year and seem to keep mentioning that they came so close in the last two year.
• Italy - I really am unsure what will arrive out of San Remo this year but I think Italy (if they put their minds to it) have a selection process that could be good for picking a song that will clean of jury votes for the final.

Overall I am expecting one of the strongest line ups of songs given that the Swiss and Albania songs are well above average so far.

Continuing Maltese Reviews

1. Deborah C. feat L. James - Fab Alert: This is schlager, two bouncy (and good looking) girls jumping around singing a song that you just know they'll murder live. However massive live disastor performances are best avioded by a schlager style pair of heels. We shall see. If Deborah wears a leather catsuit on the night I'll give this an A+ in the meantime. Grade: A

2. Dorothy Bezzina - Interesting, that’s all I'll say. Grade: B-

3. Eleanor Cassar - Boring, poorly constructed pop song - good voice wasted on a poor song. Grade: E+

4. Fabrizio Faniello - Those of you hoping for something the same as last year will not be disappointed. However it is difficult to know if Fabrizio is worth sending to Eurovision again. Those with a liking for beards that make you look like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also will not be disappointed. Grade: B-

5. Francesca Borg - Dire. Grade: G

6. Gianni - Poor quality rock with few redeming features other than a good end. Grade: E

7. Isabelle - No faults. Beat is good and the music is arranged well. Not outstanding. It could build more and have a stronger ending. Grade: C+

8. Janice Mangion - Grade: D+

9. Janvil - Grade: C-

Conclusion of And the winner is series tomorrow. We will have the last part of this series Wednesday.

First Malta Reviews

So after much waiting here are the first of the reviews of the Maltese songs. All songs have been assigned a grade from an A+ to E- are passing grades (i.e. I would listen to it again) and failing grades would be either F, G or NG. F and G are songs I would not listen to agian because I feel they are just below standard for their genre. NG means non gradable and only applies where a song is so bad I couldn't listen to it for long enough to grade it or where I feel the song may be personally offensive. While all songs have received a grade they have not all been commented on. This is due to the number of songs in Eurosong and the fact that they sometimes seem a bit bland. Songs without a comment are usually neither great nor very poor. Anyway enough with the rules lets get cracking.

1. Amber - Very unusual song, her voice is strong. However the song, though interesting, is a bit repetitive and the climax and final verse are by not strong enough given what they seem to be building towards in the first verses. Maybe this is intentional but I suspect not. - Grade: E-

2. Anna Azzopradi - Anna's light jazzy voice is pleasant and does grow in strenght in the chorus. Song is boring and the backing vocals which really should complement her voice actually seem the wrong. Grade: G

3. Annalise Ellul - It is a nice song that we see a lot of in the Meditreainain national finals however it is difficult to see them doing all that dancing in the final when vocals have to be live. Dance reminds me of Turkey 2003. Grade: D-

4. Claudia Fanniello - A strong ballad . Returning artist Claudia gives a great number with the song Prue. This has all the hallmarks of a good song but Claudia lifts it well, however there has been problems with her vocal performance in the past at the final. So let us hope she can pull this one off. Grade : B+

5. Corazon - Grade: D

6. Dancia Muscat - Grade: C-

More tomorrow.

So many songs......So much time

Malta is one of the non-nordic countries whose national final I actually do follow. Today they released all the songs in the semi final for you to listen to so over the coming days I will put a few reviews. As with many countries national finals some of the songs are just a little......ah (bored grunt) so while I will put up a grade for each there may not always be a review to go with it sorry!

ESCInsight have an ebook launched written by website editor Ewan Spence, about the Junior Eurovision Song contest 2011. Which is a fair achievement in two weeks. I will have a review of it posted to the blog over the coming weeks (hopefully before New Year)

Swisss final tonight!!!

"And what time is it now, Ted?"
"One O'Clock"
And the Eurovision?"
"Is in May Dougal."

As you are all aware the Swiss national final takes place tonight. The final features a relatively bland group of songs, none of which will win ESC 2012. However a national final is a national final. Sometime around 9pm GMT or 10pm CET  we will know the first song of this years ESC. Which is a little strange given it is the 10th December (see aboe quote). Sadly, due to other engagements I shall not be on twitter this evening or even watching the final with you. I might be on Twitter by 8:00pm GMT so keep a look out for @SpTynan. Otherwise I recommend either @Ewan or @ESCInsight (I'm not sure which they are blogging through). So based on the studio versions the following grades have been given to the songs:

Lys Assia B
Raphael Jeger B-
Patric Scott feat. Fabienne Louves C+
Katherine St. Laurent C-
Sinplus C-
Ze Flying Zézettes Orchestra  D+
I Quattro D+
Sosofluo D
Ivo D
Macy D-
Atomic Angels E+
Chiara Dubey E
Guillermo Sorya F+
Emel F-

Lys Assia is the favorite to win tonight and here at The Best Eurovision Blog we would like to wish her the very best of luck.

All Kinds Of Everything

I'm for real this time, so lets dive straight into the news

Dana, winner of the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest is running again for president of Ireland. This is the second time she has ran for the highest office in the land. In 1997 she polled third with about 13% of the vote. As always we will keep you up to date on the latest developments of how the campaign is going. It is not expected that she will come anywhere close to winning.

In other Eurovision news we have the start (of the sort) of the National finals with Slovenia. They have some sort of X factor type competition that has kicked off.

Speaking of X factor Janet Devlin got through to the live finals so we all look forward to her.

Janet was simiply amazing in Bootcamp, and Judges houses, so if anyone from Ireland or UK is reading please consider supporting her.

And One More Thing

In continuing to recap on the news around Eurovision I shall endure to continue:


The Cypriot song this year will be sung in English. This is not surprising as the singer will most likely bring a very contempory sound from Cyprus, but still they have entered 2 songs in their own language in the last 4 years.


DMGP has won an award for their excellent programme that attracts many viewers each year, and had a 70% share of viewers this year. The album of the songs in DMGP charted well in Denmark. It is one of the best National Finals on the go, both in terms of quality of the music and general staging. Unfortunately due to the high intensity of the National finals I overlooked DMGP in favour of Melodifestivalen. When I came back to it I realised just how good it was and I am delighted to see it receive an award. I'm also delighted to hear DMGP is to occur in late January when there is a less intense national final season.


The big story that I forgot to report on over the last week was that eurovision.tv is reporting that the Spice Girls are considering to try to go to Baku. Normally I would dismiss this as speculation, however Eurovision.tv is quite a reliable source. While I have nothing against the Spice Girls I would warn the BBC and UK against allowing them directly through to Eurovision without any form of National Final. I believe this was key in Blues somewhat failure to break the Top 5 at Eurovision. At least the national final puts artists under an amount of pressure.


Ukraine has announced their plans for 2012, which involves a talent show style National Final. However you never really know with Ukraine. Ani Lorak and Filipp Kirkorov are thought to be involved.


So that brings the news articles to an end. Tomorrow I will continue with the And The Winner Of Eurovision 2012 is........ series. 


In other news, Saturday night saw the return of X Factor on TV. (Being in Ireland I can see it.) I was very impressed with an Irish girl - Janet Devlin. You can see her performance here.